Legal Question in Consumer Law in India
Insurance Claim for theft Vehicle from United India Insurance Co. Ltd.
2) I had purchased an insurance policy from United India Insurance Co. Ltd. for my scooter Bajaj Chetak (MP-07-KD-8135) insuring the vehicle comprehensively for one year from midnight of 04/01/2002 to midnight of 03/01/2003. The said vehicle was stolen from my the then residence I-85 A, III Floor, Lakshmi Nagar, New Delhi on 31/08/02. Written communication was send to United India Insurance Co. Ltd. about the mishap and the claim process started by them. After sending all the required documents for the claim settlement, United India Insurance Co. Ltd. wants me to get the vehicle transferred in their name. Vehicle registration authority, Gwalior from where the vehicle was registered denied transferring the vehicle in the name of United India Insurance Co. Ltd. saying that this is against their rules to transfer the vehicle without physically seeing it. However, they accepted the request that incase the vehicle is found it will be transferred in the name of United India Insurance Co. Ltd. The same was communicated to United India Insurance Co. Ltd. in writing. Repeated requests were given to settle the claim to United India Insurance Co. Ltd. I have been waiting for them to settel the claims. Pl. let me know what I can do in this.
4 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Insurance Claim for theft Vehicle from United India Insurance Co. Ltd.
Please thoroughly check the insurance policy and see whether any such pre-condition of transfer of ownership of vehicle has been mentioned in the policy before they compensate you for your loss. If there is, you might want to challenge the validity of that condition since, in view of the law as indicated by the Registration Authority, the vehicle cannot be transferred without physical inspection. Therefore, insurance company cannot insist on this condition. It is well settled that law cannot compel a person to do the impossible.
Re: Insurance Claim for theft Vehicle from United India Insurance Co. Ltd.
You can issue a legal notice to the Insurance Company calling upon them to comply with the requirement that they have agreed upon and if they do not comply within the period specified, then you can file a Complaint before the consumer forum as well as seek damages.
Re: Insurance Claim for theft Vehicle from United India Insurance Co. Ltd.
The very demand of Insurance company to ask you to have a stolen vehicle transfered in its name is absurd. Even in other case like total loss due to accident etc., if Insurance company so desire, it can have such vehicle transferred in its own name at its costs, expenses and charges and need not ask the insured to do the same. Only thing which an Insurance company can ask the registered owner, is to sign necessary forms and other documents for the purpose.
You can approach appropriate forums like Consumer Forum or Civil Court and can also claim substantial damages for the harassment meted out to you by the Insurance company in the entire process.
Re: Insurance Claim for theft Vehicle from United India Insurance Co. Ltd.
The insurance company has the right on your scooter only if they compensate you. Such right is usually reserved by the insurance agreement. Once they compensate you, they can exercise such right, even without your concurrence. Registration of transfer of a vehicle is only a formality and an actual transfer of a movable property like a scooter can take place, at any time in between the parties. Issue a legal notice along with a signed sale letter in their favour, detailing the reply given to you by the registration authority and expressing your readiness to transfer the vehicle as and when the vehicle is found out. Also mention that if the claim is not settled within fifteen days from the receipt of the said notice and sale letter, you will be filing a complaint before the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum for relieves. (It is important to mention on the sale letter that it is valid only after they compensate you.) If they do not settle the claim within the time prescribed, file a complaint before the CDR Forum seeking appropriate compensation. It is better to seek the assistance of a lawyer in this matter.
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